Polymer Bulletin, Vol.46, No.2-3, 159-164, 2001
Synthesis and characterization of novel polyurethanes containing tricyanocyclopropane ring for piezoelectric applications
1-(2 ' ,2 ' ,3 ' -tricyano-3 ' -carbomethoxycyclopropyl)-3,4-di-2 ' -hydroxyethoxybenzene (4) was prepared by the reaction of bromomalononitrile with methyl 3.4-di-(2 ' -hydroxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (3). Diol 4 was condensed with 3,4-toluenediisocyanate and 3,3 ' -dimethoxy-4,4 ' -biphenylenediisocynate to yield polyurethanes 5 and 6 containing multicyanocyclopropane functionalities in the pendant group. The resulting polymers 5 and 6 were soluble in common organic solvents and the inherent viscosities were in the range of 0.25-0.30 dL/g. Polyurethanes 5 and 6 showed a thermal stability up to 300 degreesC in TGA thermograms. Solution-cast films showed T-g values in the range of 100-130 degreesC and piezoelectric coeffcients (d(31)) of the poled polymer films were 1.8-2.0 pC/N, which are acceptable for piezoelectric device applications.